We are passionate about helping businesses and governments shape the way we live and work and see real estate as the stage on which economies and communities develop and thrive. Unique in the breadth of our real estate expertise – our work covers all of its forms across the private and public sectors and from residential to commercial and mixed-use schemes. Dedicated in our approach – we approach every challenge, large or small, with the same level of care and expertise.
Across the world, people are living longer, more active lives. All of us need a place to call home. Recognised as a national leader, housing is part of our DNA. From building new homes to upgrading and adapting existing stock or meeting the needs of particular groups within our communities, we support clients throughout the housing sector with specialist knowledge across our firm.
Towns and cities are transforming fast. Digital-led change is recasting the ways we work, live and shop, but the need for spaces to gather, interact and enjoy leisure remains strong. From the ballooning shortages in housing and construction skills, to the growth of public/private partnerships – we are accomplished in tackling the challenges the real estate sector faces.
Infrastructure is the foundation of the built environment – our understanding of healthcare, transport, power, utilities, education, industry and logistics underpins our real estate expertise. With experience and expertise – from offices across the UK, the Middle East and Asia – we are helping businesses, governments, investors and developers balance their commitments, deliver on their priorities and lead the change that creates the communities of the future.
We are recognised for our ability to take successful ideas and models that we have developed in the UK and adapt and translate across the world. We are notable for our success in doing this in the Middle East. And we are often the first port of call for clients investing from the Middle East, the US and Canada into the UK property market to secure retail or office space, as well as alternative assets such as student accommodation or senior living accommodation.
An international law firm with real estate at its heart
Fluent in real estate across every office and in every specialist team
Expert in working with and bringing together commercial, residential, public and private sector projects
Working on smaller transactions with the same care and attention as the largest deal
Unrivalled knowledge of, heritage in and vision for the built environment
Real estate
Our dedicated, full service real estate offering advise clients on transactional matters including acquisitions and disposals of sites across the UK, on asset management and on the development, redevelopment or refurbishment of assets including providing development financing advice.
Industrial and logisticsOffices are a core mainstay for the commercial investor and the market is becoming ever more dynamic and diverse. Our office and workplace expertise ranges from trophy assets in the City to actively managed secondary offices, and everything in between.
Office workplaceOur lawyers advise on residential, mixed-use and large-scale regeneration schemes that shape communities and create economic growth. Contact us to unlock opportunities from land assembly and development to joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
RegenerationA distinguishing aspect of our business is the breadth of our residential expertise. This deep understanding allows us to provide specialist advice across all types and scales of residential real estate whether for sale or rent, from individual apartments to major new urban quarters, student accommodation to senior living.
ResidentialThe revolution of the retail sector continues at pace driven by online shopping but with a much greater focus on the customer and brand experience. Where and how we shop, and how the physical shape of our towns and cities keeps up continues to provide challenges and opportunities. We are on hand to accompany our clients through this ever-changing landscape.
RetailRetirement villages and senior living/extracare spans a huge range of service models and provider types - from small sheltered schemes provided by charities to villages with 200+ units and a wide range of community facilities. The sector, particularly the village model, is destined to grow if international comparisons are anything to go by. However, it is governed by a very wide range of policy and legal drivers where a true understanding of how the sector is evolving is essential.
RetirementStudent accommodation has been one of the most active alternative investment classes in the real estate market in many countries in recent years. Students choosing purpose built accommodation have become accustomed to convenience, high specifications and additional services and amenities.
Student accommodationThere is no doubt that build to rent (BTR) will be part of the solution to the housing crisis. It will deliver quality professionally managed homes across the country. These will be family homes as well as city centre apartments.
Build to rent and PRS
Our testimonials
"Trowers & Hamlins places importance on building long-term relationships with clients. The team includes specialists in niche areas and they are experts in dealing with complex matters." – Legal 500, London Real Estate
"They are experts in their field and their wide breadth of knowledge assists with the complex projects that we bring forward. They are also pragmatic and are solutions-focused." – Legal 500, North West Real Estate
Real estate
OUR CASE STUDIES
Trowers & Hamlins has advised Settle and Paradigm on the £1.55 billion financing as part of the first stage of their merger. In October 2025, Settle Group became a subsidiary of Paradigm Housing Group Limited, with the combined group operating as SettleParadigm. Paradigm Homes Charitable Housing Association Limited and Settle Group aim to legally combine in the next two years. SettleParadigm will operate primarily across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and will become the largest housing association operating in the region, with ownership of almost 27,000 homes.
We advised Westminster City Council on a £235 million financing and acquisition of 368 homes for temporary accommodation using an innovative long-term funding structure.
Knowledge Hub
On 9 October 2026, the Government introduced its consultation titled "Extending Awaab's Law to private rented tenancies and to licences" (the Consultation).
Real estate transactions are becoming more complex. Climate and environmental regulation, energy resilience, operational risk, financing, insurance, changing ownership structures and evolving expectations from investors are increasingly interconnected.
Law firm Trowers & Hamlins has been named Legal Advisor of the Year at the HealthInvestor Seniors Housing Awards 2026, recognising the firm's work across the seniors housing sector.
Podcast: Rethinking Regen - What is data-led regeneration and why is it important?
Trowers & Hamlins has advised Settle and Paradigm on the £1.55 billion financing as part of the first stage of their merger. In October 2025, Settle Group became a subsidiary of Paradigm Housing Group Limited, with the combined group operating as SettleParadigm. Paradigm Homes Charitable Housing Association Limited and Settle Group aim to legally combine in the next two years. SettleParadigm will operate primarily across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and will become the largest housing association operating in the region, with ownership of almost 27,000 homes.